Help for Pet Owners
Assistance programs provide crucial support to pet owners facing financial hardship, ensuring that their beloved companions can receive the necessary medical care and treatment they need.
Cost of Care
Veterinary Hospitals are often caught in the unfortunate position of desiring to provide care for a sick pet but the owner is unable to afford services.
Because of our love of animals it is heartbreaking to see our patients suffer, however our hospitals can’t remain viable if we don’t collect payment. In desire to help our clients locate funding we have compiled this list of websites and ideas that have benefited others in similar financial positions.
There are many organizations available to help cover or assist with the costs of veterinary bills. Some are specific to one breed, so it is suggested to check with the local breed rescue organizations to see if there is one for your pet. Many are also focused on specific types of illness.
Check with your local shelter or chapter of the humane society. These organizations typically know of other charitable organizations.
The Following list of Animal Charities and Finance Options has been compiled to help your research:
- Brown Dog Foundation – The typical process takes anywhere from 2-5 business days, depending upon the requirements of treatment and, most importantly, the cooperation of the pet owner and doctor. To see if you qualify, visit: browndogfoundation.org
- Care Credit (financing company) – CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed for your health and wellness needs for you, your entire family and your pets. To apply, visit: carecredit.com or call: (800) 677-0718
- Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) – As of 2/2022: Only submit Application for assistance if you have a cat that has Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAS), also known as Injection Site Sarcoma (ISS). We are not able to assist with any other conditions. To see if you qualify, visit: fveap.org
- Frankie’s Friends – Frankie’s Friends provides financial assistance grants to family owned pets in need of lifesaving emergency or specialty veterinary care whose caregivers cannot afford the full cost of treatment.Our programs are designed to help with the treatment of emergency and specialty medical conditions where the pet would otherwise suffer, be euthanized, or relinquished without proper veterinary care.To see if you qualify, visit: frankiesfriends.org
- Gracie’s Mission – Gracie’s Mission, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is staffed completely by volunteers. Our mission is to spread the word about holistic/alternative medical treatments for animals and to give financial assistance to people who want to take their pet to see a provider of alternative medicine for animals. In addition they must meet the guidelines of the grant program set forth by the Mission.
- Ginger’s Legacy 646.8891 – The Cartwright Foundation provides financial assistance for a pet’s medical costs when without assistance a pet’s life or well-being is in jeopardy.
- Land of Pure Gold Foundation, Inc. – Provides assistance with cancer treatment for all working dog breeds.
- Help-A-Pet – Efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion.
- Paws 4 A Cure – The mission of Paws 4 A Cure is to provide financial assistance to qualified families throughout the United States who cannot afford veterinary care for their beloved furry family members without our help.
- Shakespeare Animal Fund – Anyone can apply for funds, but SAF offers assistance primarily to those on fixed incomes or with annual incomes below $35,000. Exceptions are made depending on circumstances. It is always a one-time grant.
- The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund – Provides information and funding for pets with cancer.
- The Magic Bullet Fund – Provides funds to dogs with cancer
- The Mosby Foundation – Provides funds for dogs fighting cancer.
- The Pet Fund – The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care.
- The Reidel and Cody Fund – Funding for animals with cancer
- Alley Cat Allies – For help with direct and hands-on care, and to connect with local resources for advice and support with stray and feral cats and kittens, use our personalized Online Assistance Form.
- American Humane Society – The mission of American Humane Association is to ensure the welfare, wellness and well-being of children and animals, and to unleash the full potential of the bond between humans and animals to the mutual benefit of both.
- ASPCA – The ASPCA works with local, state and federal legislators to help enact meaningful protections for animals. To report inhumane conditions and animal cruelty.
- Best Friends Animal Society – Operating spay/neuter clinics in L.A. and Utah that offer discounted prices. Promoting trap/neuter/return (TNR) of community cats through our cat initiatives. Holding events in targeted communities to promote spaying and neutering of pit bull terriers. Supporting spay/neuter programming in Albuquerque, New Mexico; San Antonio, Texas; and Jacksonville, Florida, via grants.
- Humane Society of United States – HSVMA Rural Area Veterinary Services (HSVMA-RAVS) provides more than $1 million in free veterinary services to more than 8,000 animals in more than 40 communities. We go where no other animal services exist, including communities on Native American reservations.
- Petco Foundation – We help animal-welfare organizations find lifelong, loving homes for millions of orphaned pets, as well as fund spay and neuter efforts, animal assisted therapy programs and humane education.
- Petsmart Charities – To find low cost spay or neuter programs or emergency relief funds for disasters.
- Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) – Nonprofit Charity Organization that provides emergency financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companion when life-threatening illness or injury strikes. Seniors, people with disabilities, people who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue an injured or ill cat or kitten – any of these folks may need emergency financial assistance.
- We also have a specialized dedicated fund (Kobi’s Fund) for cats with Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAS) (also known as Injection Site Sarcoma).VAS is a group of cancers caused by vaccinations. Please see the Kobi’s Fund Page for details.
- Feline Outreach – “Feline Outreach is a charitable organization formed to promote the routine and medical care of companion animals, particularly cats.” (Note: Feline Outreach was founded by people who have diabetic cats.)
- IMOM – “Mission Statement: Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.” (Note: IMOM has a special fund for diabetic cats)
- American Animal Hospital Association – Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship. Available through AAHA accredited hospitals.
- RedRover – “The mission of RedRover is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, RedRover can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care.
Other Fundraising Ideas:
- Pay advance from employer
- Crowd Fund from Social Media connections paid to the hospital
- Pawn old gold jewelry
- Solicit funds from friends and family
- Title loans on cars
- Sell or pawn other valuables like electronics or antiques